In general terms the following four types of churches are ones that close.

1. New church plants that fail.

New churches are often at great risk. The first few years are the most crucial. As a rule of thumb if a new church makes it past the third year of existence it is likely to last at least 60+ years.

2. Churches that lose their vision.

The energy that drives a church into the future is a vision of what God has called the church to be and do. Churches that lose their sense of mission and purpose will struggle to justify their existence.

3. Churches with serious attendance loss.

A major loss of three-fourths or more of worship attendance is critical. When this factor is accompanied by other losses of vision, finances and effectiveness, a church has a very dim future.

4. Churches that become ineffective.

A basic generalization suggested by Lyle Schaller is that "the leading cause of death among churches is a deterioration of the capability to reach and to assimitate new members."

A decision to close a church should never be made on the basis of any single indicator below, but taken as a whole they can provide church leaders with helpful insights as to the future potential of a church.

Indicator #1: Public Worship Attendance

A church needs at least 50 adults to have a public worship service that is celebrative and attractive to new people. 20 to 40 adults at worship puts a church in an unhealthy situation. Less than 20 adults is a strong indication the church should be closed.

Indicator #2: Total Giving Units

It usually takes a minimum of 10 - 12 faithful giving units to provide for a full time pastor. It takes another 10 - 12 units to provide for the ministry of a church in terms of supplies, advertising, etc. Thus, a church reaches a danger point when it has 25 or less giving units.

Indicator #3: Lay Leadership Pool

As a rule of thumb, a church needs one leader for every 10 adult members (junior high and up), 1 leader for every 6 elementary children and 1 leader for every 2 children below school age. Less leadership than this will make it difficult to provide for the needs of a growth ministry.

Indicator #4: An Effective Ministry

A church needs at least one ministry for which it is known in the community. For example, some churches may be known as the church with the great Sunday school, others for their children's program. Still others may be known for their ministry to senior citizens.

Indicator #5: Past Growth Rate

A growth rate that has been decling for 5 to 10 years should serve as a warning signal. If a church is only about one-fourth or less of its original size it is likely to be facing hard times which may result in eventual closure.

Indicator #6: Congregation's Spritual Health

A church's spiritual climate is another factor to be considered. Is a church characterized as one of peace, happiness, and love? Or, is it found to be one of anger, bitterness and discouragement?

Indicator #7: Average Membership Tenure

How long have people been attending church? If the average tenure is longer than 20 years, it is a sign that a church is having difficulty reaching and assimilating new people.

Indicator #8: Focus of Church Goals

Is the focus of a church on itself or outward to new people? Do leaders talk about ministry, mission and purpose? Or, do they talk about paying the bills, hanging on, real estate, the past and membership care?

Indicator #9: Budget Expenditures

Where is the money spent? Is it spent on outreach, advertising and ministry? Or, are these areas the first to be cut when the budget gets tight?

Indicator #10: Church Rumors

Is there positive talk about God and His work in the church? Are there people who believe God can renew the church in the days ahead? Or, do people talk about the past, respond pessimistically to visionary statements and fail to recognize that God is at work in their church?

If you are faced with a church you think should possibly be closed, the following questionnaire may prove helpful in giving you an objective Evaluation.

Circle YES or NO for each question.

1.	Does this church have an average public worship attendance of over 50 adults?	YES	NO
2.	Does this church have 25 faithful giving units?	YES	NO
3.	Does this church have at least one competent lay leader for every 10 adults?	YES	NO
4.	Does this church have at least one ministry for which it is known in the community?	YES	NO
5.	Does this church have a positive growth rate over the past 10 years?	YES	NO
6.	Does this church demonstrate a healthy spiritual life?	YES	NO
7.	Does this church have an average membership tenure of less than 20 years?	YES	NO
8.	Does this church talk about its future goals of ministry?	YES	NO
9.	Does this church actively spend 5% of its budget on outreach to the local community?	YES	NO
10.	Does this church have hope that God can renew its growth and vitality?	YES	NO

Tally the YES answers

7 - 10	YES	answer is excellent! This is a church with great potential.
4 - 8	YES	answer is fair. This is a church with unclear direction. It may grow or may decline.
1 - 3	YES	answer is poor. This is a church with a limited future.

Examples can be found of strong churches that once were small and were almost closed. Two examples of such churches are Bear Valley Baptist Church in Denver, CO where Frank Tillapaugh is senior pastor and The Church on the Way in Van Nuys, CA where Jack Hayford is senior Pastor.

Both of these churches were very small and had given consideration to closing before these men became pastors. The churches chose not to close, developed a new vision for ministry and, as they say, the rest is history.

The decision to close a church should be approached cautiously realizing that God is capable of renewing any church that is willing to change.